Talk of retirement for the great multiple Gr 1 winner HITOTSU (Maurice – Love Is Fickle) is off the mark according to his trainer Ciaron Maher.
On Monday, the star 3YO suffered a potentially career-ending suspensory injury and as he is worth $18million as a stallion, pundits jumped to an early conclusion.
But Maher, speaking from the Gold Coast today, squashed the thoughts.
“While he is a valuable stallion prospect, we have had success getting them back from this type of injury and I suspect that’s where we will head,” he said.
Ozzie Kheir his senior part-owner, acknowledged on radio this morning that farms are circling.
“A few farms have reached out to us but we all agreed we wanted to see him race as a 4YO and at this stage that plan hasn’t changed.
“These things happen and I guess that’s what gives you the hunger with racing – you’ve got to bounce back.”
It will be a long rehab but this is a rare and special animal and he will heal well.
So far Hitotsu has won 3 x Gr 1 races: the Victoria Derby, the ATC Derby and the Australian Guineas from just 8 race track appearances.
He has earned $3,179,250.
“It’s not an injury that is going to take 12 months to heal,” said Their.
“I don’t believe he’s reached his peak yet and my gut feel is that he’ll race next autumn.”
